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Ten of the next legendary players to retire

February 16, 2014

Tad Johnson

10. Dwyane Wade

Photo Credit: SI.com

Dwayne Wayde has three NBA titles with Miami, a growing list of injuries, and a family now. One has to wonder… what does he have left to accomplish? If he walked away from the game, would anyone really question that he’s one of the top players in the past decade? His injuries are becoming more and more frequent yet he still finds a way to play at a high level. I think Wade has a few years left in him, but don’t be surprised to see him retire in the next few years.

Prediction: Retirement 2017

9. Tim Duncan

Photo Credit: Photofile.com

Tim Duncan is one of those guys that you just kind of expect will be around forever. Unfortunately, father time has other plans. He’s creeping up towards 40. I think he has a few years left in the tank, but a Power Forward/Center can take a beating in the course of an NBA career playing inside and Tim Duncan has been consistently dominating since ’97/’98. He has four NBA championships to his name and he’s widely respected throughout the NBA. When he retires, it’ll be a sad day in San Antonio.

Prediction: Retirement 2017

8. Kobe Bryant

Lakerholicz.com

It’s been really sad watching Kobe suffer injuries in the past few years. First it was his Achilles, then the tibial plateau fracture almost right after his return from the Achilles injury. He recently signed a two-year extension with the Lakers, but I think once that deal expires, Bryant will call it a career and go out as one of the best players in NBA history.

Prediction: Retirement 2016

7. Tom Brady

New York Daily News

Who would’ve thought back when Brady was playing at Michigan that he would end up being one of the best quarterbacks in the history of the NFL?! But here we are, it’s 2014 and Tom Brady is still playing at a consistently high level. The conversations about his mortality didn’t really begin until he blew out his knee in 2008. Every year the same questions show up, though. Is this the year that Brady and the Patriots begin to decline? Well, it hasn’t happened yet. And honestly I don’t think it will until Brady rides off into the sunset. I think he has a few more years in him, but the clock is ticking.

Prediction: Retirement 2016

6. Kevin Garnett

Credit: AP Photos

Garnett joined the Brooklyn Nets this year in an attempt to squeeze a few more years and possibly another playoff run out of his career. The Nets have not played well thus far this year, and I think Garnett is realizing that his career is reaching it’s tail end. When he says goodbye, he’ll be celebrated league-wide as one of the better Power Forwards in the NBA’s history.

Prediction: Retirement 2015

5. Martin Brodeur

Brodeur is one of the longest reigning net-minders in the NHL. 21 years with the New Jersey Devils, he’s been playing since before I was born! At the same time, rumors have been swirling about his possible trade from New Jersey. If he ends up being traded after 21 years with the team, I don’t see his career lasting much longer.

Prediction: Retirement 2015

4. Peyton Manning

Peyton has had a hell of a career, and he has to know that after the number of neck surgeries he’s had that he’s on borrowed time for the rest of his career. If he retires in the next few years, he’ll have the distinct honor of going out if not on top, very close to it. He had a season for the ages in 2013 even though the Superbowl loss was embarassing.Prediction: Retirement 2015

3. Champ Bailey

Photo Credit: Denver Post

The questions about how much longer Champ Bailey had really intensified after a rough game against the Baltimore Ravens during the 2012 NFL Playoffs. For quite a while, Bailey has been quietly remaining one of the best safeties in the NFL. He’s been recently quoted as saying that he’s not ready to be done playing football, but if he struggles this next season and it’s obvious that his age has caught up to him, I think he’ll retire.

Prediction: Retirement 2015

2. Dirk Nowitzki

photo credit: Streetball.com

About two years ago, Nowitzki was asked about retirement and he said that he felt like he had at least two years left. Well, it’s two years later. He will be a free agent after this season. I think Dirk wants to end his career in Dallas, but at the same time he’s a smart dude. If Dallas doesn’t offer him a good deal and make it seem like they could seriously compete, Dirk will probably hang up his sneakers and retire. Could we be seeing Dirk’s last season?

Prediction- Retirement 2014

1. Derek Jeter

Photo Credit: Sporting News

This one is pretty darn obvious as he announced this week that 2014 would be curtains for him. Jeter will spend the 2014 season hopefully un-injured and on something of a farewell tour, and it’s one that he deserves. One of the classiest men in sports by a mile.

Tad Johnson - manager

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